Smokeless tobacco can having a lid with a scoop formed therein

ABSTRACT

A smokeless tobacco can having a lid with a scoop formed therein that reduces the amount of smokeless tobacco that falls from the fingers onto the surrounding area. The scoop is used to transfer smokeless tobacco from the can to between the inner lip and gums. This reduces mess, and reduces the amount of the smokeless tobacco that is wasted, thereby saving a substantial amount of the smokeless tobacco by avoiding repeated losses resulting from repeated use of the fingers to transfer a “pinch” of smokeless tobacco. The scoop formed in the lid includes a curved sidewall that curves upward to meet the upper lid sidewall so as to form a scoop edge, which edge is used to scoop smokeless tobacco from the can bottom. The scoop can hold as much smokeless tobacco as a typical “pinch”. The smokeless tobacco can may also include a cap that protects the scoop.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to smokeless tobacco, and more particularly to devices for using smokeless tobacco.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smokeless tobacco (also called “dip”, “chewing tobacco”, or “snuff”) is a tobacco product made from tobacco leaves.

One common way to use smokeless tobacco is to pinch a quantity of smokeless tobacco between two or more fingers, and then place the compressed smokeless tobacco between one's teeth and lower lip, or between one's lower lip and gums. This process has various names, such as “dipping”, or “packing a lip”.

To help make the quantity of smokeless tobacco more dense and easier to control in the mouth, the smokeless tobacco is “packed”, i.e. pre-compressed in the can by tapping the can, or knocking the can against a hard surface, so as to force the smokeless tobacco particles to compress against the inner walls of the can. When the contents of the can are compressed, a pinch will contain more smokeless tobacco, and the smokeless tobacco will be more densely packed when it's placed in the mouth. Another advantage of “packing” is that it makes the smokeless tobacco easier to pinch, thereby reducing the amount of smokeless tobacco that falls from the fingers onto the surrounding area, which makes a mess and wastes the smokeless tobacco. Even with packing, a significant amount of smokeless tobacco can be wasted, and with many “dips” in each can, a substantial amount of the smokeless tobacco in the can ends up being wasted due to repeated losses resulting from repeated pinching of the smokeless tobacco in the can.

One attempt to solve this problem is to package smokeless tobacco in pre-measured quantities contained in teabag-like pouches called “snus”. A “snu” is often placed between the gum and the upper-lip, rather than the lower lip. They are initially less messy because the smokeless tobacco won't fall out of the user's fingers and mouth as with traditional “pinching” of loose smokeless tobacco. However, traditional users of smokeless tobacco do not favor pouches.

Another attempt to solve the problem of the mess and waste associated with “pinching” smokeless tobacco was introduced by SKOAL® in 2012. Called Ready Cut™, one can contained 15 pre-formed bricks of long cut tobacco. Since the pre-formed bricks of tobacco are pre-compressed, there is no need for packing the can. Further, handling a pre-compressed brick of tobacco is more convenient, less messy, and less wasteful than “pinching” traditional loose smokeless tobacco from a can.

As opposed to pouches, or loose tobacco, Ready Cut™ was pressed into small bricks roughly one inch long, and half an inch square. Thus, a user could get an average “pinch” without the need to pack the can, or spend too much time digging the tobacco out.

However, shortly after the introduction of Ready Cut™, many users began to complain that the number of bricks in a can did not provide the same amount of tobacco which the company claimed was packaged. Most traditional cans of smokeless tobacco contain roughly one ounce of loose tobacco. Users noted that if the bricks in a can of Ready Cut™ were broken apart and pressed around to form the usual loose tobacco, the can seemed only half full, thereby providing less than the advertised one ounce. As a result of containing less tobacco per can, and as a result of the perceived stigma associated with the related “pouch” use, Ready Cut™ sales quickly dwindled such that by the end of 2013, Skoal® had largely pulled Ready Cut™ from the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A smokeless tobacco can having a lid with a scoop formed therein is provided that reduces the amount of smokeless tobacco that falls from the fingers onto the surrounding area. The scoop formed in the lid is used to transfer smokeless tobacco from the can to between the inner lip and the gums where smokeless tobacco is typically placed for use. This reduces mess, and reduces the amount of the smokeless tobacco that is wasted. Thus, a substantial amount of the smokeless tobacco in the can is saved due to avoiding repeated losses resulting from repeated use of the fingers each time to transfer a “pinch” of smokeless tobacco. The scoop can hold as much smokeless tobacco as a typical “pinch”.

A general aspect of the invention is a smokeless tobacco can having a can lid for scooping the smokeless tobacco from the can. The smokeless tobacco can includes: a can bottom configured to contain a quantity of smokeless tobacco, the can bottom having a can bottom sidewall; and a can lid having a top surface, the top surface having a scoop formed therein, the scoop being configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom, the can lid having a lid sidewall configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall.

In some embodiments, the scoop includes a floor, a rear wall, two sidewalls, and a leading curved sidewall, wherein the can lid includes an upper lid sidewall, and wherein the leading curved sidewall curves upward from the floor so as to meet the upper lid sidewall, thereby forming a scoop edge.

In some embodiments, the smokeless tobacco can further includes a cap having a sidewall, the cap being configured to protect the scoop and the top surface of the can lid.

In some embodiments, the lid sidewall includes an upper lid sidewall, and wherein the upper lid sidewall is configured to sealably mate with the sidewall of the cap.

In some embodiments, the scoop is configured to accommodate as much smokeless tobacco as a typical “pinch” from the smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom.

Another general aspect of the invention is a smokeless tobacco can lid for scooping the smokeless tobacco contained in a can bottom of a smokeless tobacco can, the can bottom having a can bottom sidewall. The smokeless tobacco can lid includes: a top surface, the top surface having a scoop formed therein, the scoop being configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom; and a lid sidewall configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall.

In some embodiments, the scoop includes a floor, a rear wall, two sidewalls, and a leading curved sidewall, the leading curved sidewall curving upward from the floor so as to meet the upper lid sidewall, thereby forming a scoop edge.

In some embodiments the smokeless tobacco can lid further includes a cap having a sidewall, the cap being configured protect the scoop and the top surface of the can lid.

In some embodiments, the lid sidewall includes an upper lid sidewall, and wherein the upper lid sidewall is configured to sealably mate with the sidewall of the cap.

In some embodiments, the scoop is configured to accommodate as much smokeless tobacco as a typical “pinch” from the smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many additional features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the smokeless tobacco can having a can lid with a scoop formed therein.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the smokeless tobacco can of FIG. 1 showing the can lid with a scoop formed therein, the can lid oriented so as to scoop up smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the can of FIG. 1, also showing a cap for protecting the top surface of the can lid.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the can of FIG. 3, showing the can of FIG. 1 with the cap of FIG. 3 applied so as to protect the top surface of the can lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an isometric view is shown of a smokeless tobacco can 100 including a can lid 102, and a can bottom 104. The can bottom 104 includes a can bottom sidewall 202.

The can lid 102 has a lower lid sidewall 106 that fits over the can bottom sidewall 202, an upper lid sidewall 108, and a top surface 116. The top surface 116 has a scoop 112 formed therein, the scoop 112 being configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. The lower lid sidewall 106 is configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall 202 of the can bottom 104.

The scoop 112 includes a floor 124, a rear wall 120, two sidewalls 122, and a leading curved sidewall 118, each being configured and sized to define and contain a “pinch” of the smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. In other embodiments, the leading curved sidewall 118 can be a straight ramp. The leading curved sidewall 118 curves upward from the floor 124 so as to meet the upper lid sidewall 108 of the can lid 102, thereby forming a scoop edge 114.

In some embodiments, an upper lid sidewall 108 is configured to sealably mate with a cap sidewall 304 (shown in FIG. 3), and a ledge 110 is formed at the junction of the lower lid sidewall 106 and the upper lid sidewall 108 to accommodate the cap sidewall 304 (shown in FIG. 3).

With reference to FIG. 2, an isometric view is shown of an embodiment of a smokeless tobacco can 100 including a can lid 102, and a can bottom 104. The can bottom 104 includes a bottom surface 200 and a can bottom sidewall 202.

The can lid 102 has a lower lid sidewall 106 that fits over the can bottom sidewall 202, an upper lid sidewall 108, and a top surface 116. The top surface 116 has a scoop 112 formed therein, the scoop 112 being configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. The lower lid sidewall 106 is configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall 202.

The scoop 112 includes a floor 124, two sidewalls 122, and a leading curved sidewall 118 which are configured and sized to define and contain a “pinch” of the smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. The leading curved sidewall 118 curves upward from the floor 124 so as to meet the upper sidewall 108 of the can lid 102, thereby forming a scoop edge 114.

In some embodiments, an upper sidewall 108 is configured to sealably mate with a cap sidewall 304 (shown in FIG. 3), and a ledge 110 is formed at the junction of the lower lid sidewall 106 and the upper lid sidewall 108 to accommodate the cap sidewall 304 (shown in FIG. 3).

With reference to FIG. 3, an exploded isometric view is shown of the smokeless tobacco can 100 of FIG. 1, including a cap 300, a can lid 102, and a can bottom 104.

The cap 300 is configured to cover the top surface 116 and the scoop 112 of the can lid 102, thereby helping to protect the top surface 116 and the scoop 112 from contamination. The cap 300 includes a cap top 302 and a cap sidewall 304.

The can lid 102 includes a lower lid sidewall 106 that fits over the can bottom sidewall 202, an upper lid sidewall 108, and a top surface 116. The top surface 116 has a scoop 112 formed therein, with the scoop 112 configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. The lower lid sidewall 106 is configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall 202 of the can bottom 104.

The scoop 112 includes a floor 124, two sidewalls 122, and a leading curved sidewall 118 which are configured and sized to define and contain a “pinch” of the smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. The leading curved sidewall 118 curves upward from the floor 124 so as to meet the upper lid sidewall 108, thereby forming a scoop edge 114. In other embodiments, the leading curved sidewall 118 can also slope upwards to meet the upper lid sidewall 108.

In this embodiment, an upper lid sidewall 108 is configured to sealably mate with a cap sidewall 304, and a ledge 110 is formed at the junction of the lower lid sidewall 106 and the upper lid sidewall 108 to accommodate the cap sidewall 304.

The can bottom 104 includes a bottom surface 200 and the can bottom sidewall 202.

With reference to FIG. 4, an isometric view is shown of the smokeless tobacco can 100 of FIG. 1, with the cap 300 of FIG. 3 applied so as to protect the scoop 112 and the top surface 116 (shown in FIG. 1) of the can lid 102.

The cap 300 includes a cap top 302 and a cap sidewall 304. The can bottom 104 is also shown.

Referring again to FIG. 2, to use the smokeless tobacco can lid 102, first separate the can lid 102 from the can bottom 104. Then, separate the thumb and the forefinger of one hand, and grasp the can lid 102 on opposing sides, making contact mostly with the lower lid sidewall 106. Use the other three fingers of the hand to stabilize and control the can lid 102, while guiding the scoop edge 114 into the smokeless tobacco (not shown) contained in the can bottom 104. Then, move the scoop edge 114 through the smokeless tobacco (not shown) until about a “pinch” of smokeless tobacco is contained in the scoop 112. The amount of a “pinch” is the amount that a user can pinch with two or three fingers, and is particular to each user according to finger size, and technique. Typically, a pinch using an index finger and a thumb is about ⅛^(th) ounce of smokeless tobacco. By comparison, the contents of a typical can of smokeless tobacco is 1.2 ounces. The exact quantity of smokeless tobacco in a particular person's “pinch” will depend on the size of the fingers used, the number of fingers used, and how the fingers are used to perform the pinch. Likewise, the amount of smokeless tobacco that can be scooped up will depend on the way the user controls the lid when using the scoop formed therein.

Then, move the scoop 112 towards your mouth, and then tilt the scoop 112 unto the smokeless tobacco contained in the scoop 112 falls between your lower lip and your teeth. If needed to ensure that the smokeless tobacco falls out of the scoop 112, tap the scoop edge against your teeth until most all of the smokeless tobacco falls out of the scoop 112, and into the space between your lower lip and your teeth. You may also find it helpful to pull your lip out with your other hand to help the smokeless tobacco to fall directly from the scoop 112 to into the space between your lower lip and your teeth.

Then, use your tongue to pack all the smokeless tobacco tight between your lip and your gums so that no smokeless tobacco can escape. Be sure to “do a horseshoe”, i.e., pack the smokeless tobacco all the way around the bottom lip. That should prevent any of the smokeless tobacco from being swallowed.

When the smokeless tobacco is properly packed your lip and your gums, close up the can by mating the can lid 106 with the can bottom 104, and then place the optional cap 300 over the can lid 106 to protect the scoop 112 and the scoop edge 114 sanitary while the smokeless tobacco can is stored in your pocket, or anywhere else you would like to store it.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smokeless tobacco can having a can lid for scooping the smokeless tobacco from the can, the smokeless tobacco can comprising: a can bottom configured to contain a quantity of smokeless tobacco, the can bottom having a can bottom sidewall; and a can lid having a top surface, the top surface having a scoop formed therein, the scoop being configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom, the can lid having a lid sidewall configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall.
 2. The smokeless tobacco can of claim 1, wherein the scoop includes a floor, a rear wall, two sidewalls, and a leading curved sidewall, wherein the can lid includes an upper lid sidewall, and wherein the leading curved sidewall curves upward from the floor so as to meet the upper lid sidewall, thereby forming a scoop edge.
 3. The smokeless tobacco can of claim 1, the smokeless tobacco can further comprising: a cap having a sidewall, the cap being configured to protect the scoop and the top surface of the can lid.
 4. The smokeless tobacco can of claim 3, wherein the lid sidewall includes an upper lid sidewall, and wherein the upper lid sidewall is configured to sealably mate with the sidewall of the cap.
 5. The smokeless tobacco can of claim 1, wherein the scoop is configured to accommodate as much smokeless tobacco as a typical “pinch” from the smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom.
 6. A smokeless tobacco can lid for scooping the smokeless tobacco contained in a can bottom of a smokeless tobacco can, the can bottom having a can bottom sidewall, the smokeless tobacco can lid comprising: a top surface, the top surface having a scoop formed therein, the scoop being configured to scoop up smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom; and a lid sidewall configured to sealably mate with the can bottom sidewall.
 7. The smokeless tobacco can lid of claim 6, wherein the scoop includes a floor, a rear wall, two sidewalls, and a leading curved sidewall, the leading curved sidewall curving upward from the floor so as to meet the upper lid sidewall, thereby forming a scoop edge.
 8. The smokeless tobacco can lid of claim 6, the smokeless tobacco can lid further comprising: a cap having a sidewall, the cap being configured protect the scoop and the top surface of the can lid.
 9. The smokeless tobacco can lid of claim 8, wherein the lid sidewall includes an upper lid sidewall, and wherein the upper lid sidewall is configured to sealably mate with the sidewall of the cap.
 10. The smokeless tobacco can lid of claim 6, wherein the scoop is configured to accommodate as much smokeless tobacco as a typical “pinch” from the smokeless tobacco contained in the can bottom. 